Method of supporting circumferential head bandage



United States Patent 3,141,459 METHOD OF SUPPORTING CIRCUMFERENTIAL HEAD BANDAGE Frances J. Orcutt, 1612 Poplar Road, Feasterville, Pa. Filed Dec. 5, 1961, Ser. No. 157,619 2 Claims. (Cl. 128-471) The present invention relates to bandage supports, and more particularly, it relates to an improved method to be used in supporting circumferential head bandages.

Heretofore, attempts to secure head bandages so as to prevent slippage thereof have been neither practical nor successful. The use of adhesive type tapes to secure head bandages, particularly circumferential bandages, has resulted in adherence of multiple layers of bandages to each other, but has failed completely to maintain the dressing in its original position.

A solution to this problem has been proposed whereby adhesive tape is applied to both the bandage and the flesh or hair of the wearer. However, in practice, this method results in great discomfort to the wearer as well as in irritation and even damage to the wound area when later attempting to remove the adhesive tapes.

The principal object of this invention is the provision of a method for supporting circumferential head bandages which method eliminates the need for applying adhesive tapes directly to the wearers flesh or hair thereby facilitating removal of the bandage without attendant discomfort to the wearer.

This and other objects of this invention will become more apparent as the following description proceeds in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein similar characters are used for corresponding elements throughout:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a pair of head bandage support members mounted in pivotal relationship to each other and disposed in an encircling manner about a human head.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a pair of head bandage supports showing the position assumed by such supports when mounted in a disposed position about a users head.

FIGURE 3 is a front plan view of a male bandage support member.

FIGURE 4 is a side sectional view of the bandage support member of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of both male and female support members in pivotal, friction-grip relationship to each other.

FIGURE 6 is a detailed sectional view of the appendage of a male bandage support member.

FIGURE 7 is a detailed sectional view of the aperture of a female bandage support member.

FIGURE 8 is a front plan view of a female bandage support member.

FIGURE 9 is a side sectional View of the female bandage support member of FIGURE 8.

The basic feature of the invention is the use of an article of manufacturing comprising at least two flexible, rectangularly shaped, head bandage support members 10 each of which is pivotally connected to one or more similar members by means 12 such as hereinafter described in greater detail, for supporting circumferential head bandages.

The terminal portions 14 of bandage support members 10 are adapted for mounting in an encircling manner about a Wearers head 16, and are secured at each respective end 14 thereof to a circumferential bandage 18 by any suitable means 20 as shown in FIGURE 1, thus providing support for the bandage 18 at a minimum of four areas, and possibly more, depending upon the number of support members utilized, thereby preventing slippage of the bandage from its original position.

In utilizing the method of the present invention it is only necessary first to fasten, by tape or other means, the terminal portion 14 of one of the strips 10 of a head bandage support to a circumferential head bandage 18, then to fasten the opposite end of the same strip 10 to the head bandage 18 so that each of the fastened ends are approximately degrees from each other with the center of the strip at the top of the wearers head. A second strip 10, which is pivotally attached at its center to the center of the first strip, is then fastened to the circumferential head bandage in the same manner as used for the first strip, care being taken so as not to overlay the wound area, and to insure that the respective ends of the strips are each secured to the bandage.

Each of said bandage support members is operatively connected to one or more additional supports by a centrally located pivotal means 12. This means may be any method which will serve to hold said supports to each other in a pivotal relationship. One such means comprises the use of any eyelet 22, such as shown in FIGURE 2, which is pivotally mounted to a pair of bandage support members at the respective centers thereof, whereby each support is freely moveable with respect to the paired support, but which is also firmly attached thereto through the centrally located pivotal means. This particular embodiment of the present invention provides a single unit comprising two attached head bandage support members, which, when utilized in accordance with the teachings herein, will provide circumferential support for a head bandage at four separate areas.

Another means for providing pivotal relationship between a pair of bandage support members comprises the use of thin magnetic metal strips attached to the centers of each support member whereby each member is held in a firm, yet pivotal relationship to the paired member.

The preferred means for providing pivotal relationship between two or more bandage support members is shown in FIGURES 4, 6, 7 and 9, and comprises the use of a first male support member 10A having attached thereto and as an integral part thereof, a centrally located, upstanding appendage 24 which is adapted to fit into a centrally located aperture 26 of one or more second female support members 1013, thereby resulting in a pivotal, friction-grip relationship when said members are operatively connected through the application of external pressure.

Use of male and female support members is preferred in view of the fact that replacement of either member is easily accomplished without the need for replacing the entire unit, and also in view of the ability to attach one or more female support members simply by utilizing a longer upstanding appendage, thereby providing additional areas of support for circumferential head bandages.

The male appendage 24 is preferably composed of a resilient material in order to permit rapid and frictional joining of one or more complementary female support members and simultaneously to permit pivotal relationship between such members. The appendage also serves as an anchoring station for attachment of the terminal portion of tubular shafts, which shafts support toys or amusement device for the entertainment of juvenile wearers of the head bandage supports.

The bandage support members suitable for use in this invention may be constructed from any suitably flexible material such as, for example, rubber, strips of bonded paper, leather, Teflon or other plastic composition, or even thin metal strips, particularly aluminum strips; the important consideration being that such supports be sufficiently flexible for mounting in an encircling manner about the wearers head. It is also preferred that the bandage supports be relatively light in Weight for the comfort of the wearer. The attached drawings show supports having solid or continuous surfaces, and supports having perforated surfaces, the latter supports having the added advantages of lighter Weight and greater circulation between the under surfaces thereof and the wearers flesh or hair.

So far as the actual physical dimensions of the head bandage support members suitable for use in this invention are concerned, it has been found that members measuring from about eight to about eleven inches in length, from about one-half to one and one-half inches in width, and from about 0.04 to 0.25 inch in thickness are completely suitable for use in supporting circumferential head bandages, whether such supports are utilized by infants or adults. However, it is to be understood that the actual physical dimensions of the bandage support members are not critical with respect to this invention, and the specific sizes quoted above are not to be construed as in any way essential to the operation of this invention and are not in any way intended to be a limitation thereof.

I claim:

1. The method of supporting a head bandage circumferentially wrapped around the head which comprises (1) fastening one end of a first strip to the head bandage, (2) fastening the other end of said strip to the head bandage, the respective ends of said first strip being approximately 180 degrees from each other, with the center of said strip being at the uppermost portion of the wearers head, (3) arranging a second strip, having its center pivotally attached to the center of said first strip in a manner so as to prevent overlaying of the wound area, (4) fastening one end of said second strip to the head bandage and (5) fastening the other end of said second strip to the head bandage, the respective ends of said second strip being approximately 180 degrees from each other.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein tape is utilized to fasten the ends of said strips to the bandage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 595,176 Jones Dec. 7, 1897 2,506,464 Millheisler May 2, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 403,006 Germany Sept. 27, 1924 549,268 Great Britain Nov. 13, 1942 

1. THE METHOD OF SUPPORTING A HEAD BANDAGE CIRCUMFERENTIALLY WRAPPED AROUND THE HEAD WHICH COMPRISES (1) FASTENING ONE END OF A FIRST STRIP TO THE HEAD BANDAGE, (2) FASTENING THE OTHER END OF SAID STRIP TO THE HEAD BANDAGE, THE RESPECTIVE ENDS OF SAID FIRST STRIP BEING APPROXIMATELY 180 DEGREES FROM EACH OTHER, WITH THE CENTER OF SAID STRIP BEING AT THE UPPERMOST PORTION OF THE WEARER''S HEAD, (3) ARRANGING A SECOND STRIP, HAVING ITS CENTER PIVOTALLY ATTACHED TO THE CENTER OF SAID FIRST STRIP IN A MANNER SO AS TO PREVENT OVERLAYING OF THE WOUND AREA, (4) FASTENING ONE END OF SAID SECOND STRIP TO THE HEAD BANDAGE AND (5) 